SECTION 24. High-risk children; racial disproportion; procurement of services; children transitioning out of system; semi-annual report

The commissioner shall report semi-annually on: (i) the status of high-risk children and the department's efforts to identify such children and address their needs for child protection; (ii) the status of racial disproportionality and disparity of the department's client population and its efforts, including the use of culturally competent staffing, resources and practices, to reduce overrepresentation of children of color in the child welfare system; (iii) the status of the department's procurement of services; and (iv) the status of children who, due to their age, are transitioning out of the child welfare system. The reports shall be filed with the clerks of the senate and the house, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, the office of the child advocate, and the governor.